Cops arrest five suspects in stabbings on Santa Monica Pier

PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY — Five people have been arrested in connection with a stabbing incident at the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday.

The incident, which occurred at approximately 1:20 a.m., involved five suspects and a pair of fisherman at the west-end of the popular tourist attraction.

An argument escalated to the point where the group of five attacked the other two. During the altercation, both victims were stabbed multiple times in the torso and arms. The suspects left the pier fishing deck and walked east. The victims reported the incident to pier and Harbor Service Officers who immediately began to administer first aid until Santa Monica Fire Department paramedics arrived.

SMPD officers, who were working on the pier at the time, were notified and responded. The officers saw a group of individuals walking east on the pier who matched the description of the assailants and subsequently detained them. Identifications were later made of the group, implicating them in the crime.

The victims were transported to a local trauma center where the more serious of the two was immediately sent to surgery. Both victims are in stable condition and expected to survive.

All five of the suspects were booked for attempted homicide. Four of them are adults and bail was set at $1 million for each of them. The other suspect arrested was a minor. He was booked into juvenile hall and no bail has been set for him.

The suspects have been identified as: Araik Ovoian, 24; Gevork Bagdasaryan, 19; Alex Akob Akbari, 18; Agavni Manukyan, 21; and a 16-year-old who was not identified.

Anyone having information regarding this crime is asked to call the Santa Monica Police Department’s Investigations Division at (310) 458-8451 during normal business hours. Information may also be reported to the Communications Center after hours at (310) 458-8491.